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Dublin is famous for pubs above all, but let’s see what other things you can do if you have a short time in Dublin. Of course, in 24 hours or less, you can only cover the most iconic things to do in Dublin. I made a list of the best things to do, all of them in a compact area of central Dublin.
A little context about Dublin
Dublin was originally a Viking settlement, though evidence of inhabiting the area goes way longer than that. After the long British rule, Dublin city retained a lot. At the same time, the city has a newfound identity. It’s a friendly city, with lots of job opportunities and a housing problem. Visitors find a good atmosphere in Dublin, moody weather, and plenty of things to do.
These are best things to do on your short trip to Dublin, Ireland.
- Dublin Castle
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Marsh’s Library
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Dublinia
- Ha’Penny Bridge
- The Temple Bar
Best things to do in Dublin City
Dublin Castle
Today, Dublin Castle is a tourist attraction, and the State Apartments are still used for official events of the Irish State. But, back in the day, the Castle was the residence of the Viceroy of Ireland – the representative of British power in Ireland.
It’s a place to learn a bit about Ireland’s history. You can also imagine the place filled with women in evening dresses dancing at the season’s balls. Take a tour reading my post about Dublin Castle.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Another landmark, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, is a must when you visit Dublin. It has more than 800 years of history, and it was built near the place where St. Patrick used to baptize people. The Gothic Cathedral tour can take you up to 2 hours because there is a lot to see inside. Pay attention to one of the largest organs in Ireland and, if possible, time your visit to catch the choir singing.
The unusual thing about St. Patrick’s Cathedral is that it’s the second functioning cathedral in the city, along with the even older Christ Church Cathedral.
Check the opening times on the official site. You can also save time and buy your admission tickets in advance from GetYourGuide.
Marsh’s Library
Marsh’s was the first public library to open in Ireland in 1707. It’s a few steps away from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and it’s worth a visit for the incredible collection of old books but also for its history. Bram Stoker used to come here to read, as well as James Joyce. Jonathan Swift also spent time in Marsh’s Library reading room, keeping an eye on the cathedral he was dean to at the same time.
Today, the collection is run by a charity that works on preserving some of the rarest books of the library.
The library is open Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM. Admission costs 5 €, and they also accept donations to help with the work on the books.
Christ Church Cathedral
The first cathedral of Dublin City, Christ Church is almost 1000 years old. The impressive structure we see today was built where the old Viking wooden structure was. The Anglican church is beautiful inside with its vaulted ceilings and arches.
Pay attention to the bench sculpture in front of the church as well. The bronze sculpture represents Homeless Jesus, and it’s very expressive.
Find the opening hours on the official site here. Also, you can buy your tickets in advance on GetYourGuide here.
Dublinia
Dublinia, across the street from Christ Church, is a unique museum displaying the city’s Viking and Medieval heritage. It’s an interactive museum, so you can learn about life in the Viking age and Medieval times. Kids will also have fun at Dublinia so if you’re traveling as a family, make sure to add this place to your things to do in Dublin list.
They run a free Living History Tour daily. Click on the link to see the updated times of the tour and make the most of your visit.
Ha’Penny Bridge
This is one of the free things to do in Dublin. Its official name is Liffey Bridge, but locals call it Ha’Penny Bridge and it has a lot of history behind it. Before the pedestrian bridge, you needed to cross the Liffey River on a ferry. When it was initially built in 1816, the operator had to right to a halfpenny for 100 years. In 2001, the bridge was repaired, preserving as much of the original features as possible.
Temple Bar Area
The Temple Bar area is the nightlife center of Dublin City. Aside from the pubs and restaurants, the Temple Bar area is also a cultural epicenter. Many projects reside here, including anything from theater to photography or multimedia art.
The Temple Bar itself is probably the most iconic pub in Dublin city. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a tourist trap, but it’s one of the most expensive pubs in Dublin, and you can have a great experience in many other pubs in the city. Anyway, step in, have a pint, and then make up your mind about it. For me, a stroll around this otherwise touristy area is still a must to complete any Dublin trip.
If you have some extra time in Dublin, you shouldn’t skip a Guinness Storehouse Tour as well.
Dublin Pass
While traveling on a budget, it’s a good idea to buy a Dublin Pass. It includes entrance to both cathedrals, Dublinia, as well as a hop-on-hop-off bus. The Guinness Storehouse tour and 30 other attractions are also included. It doesn’t make sense if you only visit a couple of attractions in Dublin, but if the list is long, you might save something with this pass.
When to visit Dublin
The best time to visit Dublin is during the summer months when the sun comes out more often, and the temperatures are pleasant. The city lights up for Christmas, but there aren’t big Christmas markets like in other European capitals. Another good time to visit is for St. Patrick’s Parade in March (when there is no pandemic).
Where to stay in Dublin
Dublin city center is very walkable and, if you stay in the city center, it’s pretty easy to go everywhere. Here are my two favorite hotels in Dublin:
Maldron Hotel Kevin Street is a few minutes away from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in the best possible location in Dublin.
Camden Court Hotel is another great hotel in a central location, right by St. Stephen’s Green.
Disclosure
Some of the above may be affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, I only recommend companies, activities, or products that I use myself. Thank you for your support in keeping my blog live!